Buck Tanner
Veteran outdoors columnist
Based in Bozeman, MT
Buck spent 38 years in green and grey before hanging up the radio. He writes the way he talked at the ranger desk — half answers, half stories about his Border collie Sadie. He once spent 17 nights in a row at the same Wyoming dispersed site and considers that a fine vacation. Buck is suspicious of glamping but will admit a four-season tent helped him after a 2019 incident he still won't fully explain.
40 published articles · most recent September 21, 2026
Articles by Buck Tanner
RV Campgrounds in Maine: Hookups, Sites, Honest ReviewsA Maine RV camping roundup from a retired ranger: full hookup parks near Acadia, state park picks, and the gotchas nobody warns you about.
When Is Camping Season in Maryland? Month-by-Month RealityA retired ranger's honest month-by-month on camping season in Maryland, from Assateague winters to Garrett County October color.
When Is Camping Season in Massachusetts? Month-by-Month RealityA retired ranger's month-by-month take on Massachusetts camping season, from mid-May openings to the September sweet spot most folks miss.
When Is Camping Season in Indiana? Month-by-Month RealityA month-by-month honest look at Indiana camping season, from mud-boot April to leaf-peeper October to quiet winter woods.
When Is Camping Season in Hawaii? Month-by-Month RealityA retired ranger's month-by-month take on Hawaii's camping season — when to go, when to skip, and why elevation matters more than the calendar.
When Is Camping Season in Georgia? Month-by-Month RealityA month-by-month honest look at camping season in Georgia — when to go, when to skip, and where a 38-year Park Service vet would actually send you.
When Is Camping Season in Connecticut? Month-by-Month RealityStraight talk on Connecticut camping season: which months work, which ones bite, and the shoulder-season window most folks miss.
Maryland State Parks for Camping: The Ones Worth the DriveA retired ranger's honest take on Maryland's state park campgrounds — from Assateague's beaches to Garrett County's mountains, with the gotchas nobody tells you.
Massachusetts State Parks for Camping: The Ones Worth the DriveA 38-year ranger's take on which Massachusetts state parks are worth pitching a tent in — from the Berkshires to Cape Cod, with no fluff.
Camping Near the Biggest City in Louisiana — Under 90 MinutesStraight talk on state parks, private campgrounds, and gear picks for weekend camping within 90 minutes of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Camping Near the Biggest City in Idaho — Under 90 MinutesA retired ranger's honest roundup of campgrounds within 90 minutes of Boise, Idaho — where to book, where to skip, and what to know first.
Camping Near the Biggest City in Iowa — Under 90 MinutesA retired ranger's honest rundown of tent and family campgrounds within 90 minutes of Des Moines, Iowa — where to go, where to skip.
Camping Near the Biggest City in Washington D.C. — Under 90 MinutesA retired ranger's honest roundup of tent campgrounds within 90 minutes of Washington D.C. — from Greenbelt Park to the Catoctins.
Camping Near the Biggest City in California — Under 90 MinutesRanger-picked campgrounds within 90 minutes of Los Angeles — beach, mountains, and the ones I'd send my own family to.
Camping Near the Biggest City in Arkansas — Under 90 MinutesA retired ranger's honest rundown of campgrounds within 90 minutes of Little Rock — from Corps sites on the river to Lake Ouachita.
Camping Near the Biggest City in Alabama — Under 90 MinutesA retired ranger's honest rundown of tent and RV campgrounds within 90 minutes of Birmingham, Alabama — state parks, Corps lakes, and quieter national forest spots.
Family Camping in Maine: Picks That Won't Drive You NutsA retired ranger's honest picks for family camping in Maine — Sebago, Lily Bay, Mount Blue, Acadia, Baxter — plus the ones to skip and why.
Best Campgrounds in MaineA retired ranger's straight-talk picks for the best campgrounds in Maine, from Baxter and Acadia to quiet spots like Cobscook Bay and Lily Bay.
Free Dispersed Camping in Maryland: Where We Actually Pull InWhere to actually camp free in Maryland — C&O Canal sites, AT shelters, and the cheap state forest permits that beat any sketchy roadside pullout.
Mountain Camping in Louisiana: Elevation Picks for Cool NightsHonest picks for Louisiana's highest and coolest camping — Kisatchie, Tunica Hills, Driskill country — from an old ranger who knows real mountains.
Mountain Camping in Idaho: Elevation Picks for Cool NightsWhere to pitch a tent in Idaho when you actually want cool nights — high-elevation campgrounds from the Sawtooths to the Selkirks, from a 38-year NPS hand.
Mountain Camping in Iowa: Elevation Picks for Cool NightsIowa's not mountain country, but the Loess Hills and driftless bluffs offer real elevation and cool nights. Here's where a retired ranger would pitch a tent.
Mountain Camping in Washington D.C.: Elevation Picks for Cool NightsD.C. has no mountains, but real high-elevation camping sits within a two-hour drive. Here's where a longtime ranger would actually send you.
Mountain Camping in California: Elevation Picks for Cool NightsA retired ranger's picks for high-elevation California campgrounds — Eastern Sierra, Yosemite, Sequoia, and northern spots where the nights actually get cold.
Mountain Camping in Arkansas: Elevation Picks for Cool NightsWhere to find cool nights and ridge views in Arkansas — a Montana ranger's honest picks for mountain camping in the Ozarks and Ouachitas.
Mountain Camping in Alabama: Elevation Picks for Cool NightsWhere to find cool nights and real elevation in Alabama — Cheaha, Talladega National Forest, DeSoto, Monte Sano and a few overlooked picks.
Beach Camping in Maryland: What You Actually GetStraight talk on beach camping in Maryland: which parks give you a real oceanfront campsite, which don't, and what to expect at each.
Beach Camping in Massachusetts: What You Actually GetA straight-talking look at beach camping in Massachusetts — what's actually oceanfront, what isn't, and which state park sites are worth booking.
Beach Camping in Indiana: What You Actually GetStraight talk on beach camping in Indiana — what the Dunes actually deliver, inland lake alternatives, and when to go without the crowds.
Beach Camping in Hawaii: What You Actually GetA retired ranger's honest take on beach camping in Hawaii — which oceanfront campsites deliver, the permit systems explained, and what nobody warns you about.
Beach Camping in Georgia: What You Actually GetReal talk on beach camping in Georgia — Cumberland Island, Jekyll, Little Tybee and the coastal state parks, from a retired NPS ranger.
Beach Camping in Connecticut: What You Actually GetAn old ranger's honest read on beach camping in Connecticut — where you actually camp near the shore, what to expect, and which park to pick.
RV Campgrounds in Kentucky: Hookups, Sites, Honest ReviewsHonest rundown of Kentucky RV campgrounds — state parks, Land Between the Lakes, Mammoth Cave, and the private parks worth your money.
RV Campgrounds in Kansas: Hookups, Sites, Honest ReviewsA retired ranger's honest take on Kansas RV campgrounds — full hookup sites, primitive options, and which parks actually deliver.
Pet-Friendly Camping in Louisiana: Where Dogs Are Genuinely WelcomeA retired ranger's straight-talk guide to dog-friendly camping in Louisiana — the state parks worth booking, Kisatchie's quieter loops, and the rules that trip folks up.
Free Dispersed Camping in Massachusetts: Where We Actually Pull InStraight talk on free dispersed camping in Massachusetts — AT shelters, state forest workarounds, and where you actually have to cross the state line.
Lake Camping in Louisiana: 10 Sites With Real Water AccessTen Louisiana lake campgrounds with genuine shoreline access — from Chicot to Kincaid — picked by a retired ranger who's actually camped them.
Indiana State Parks for Camping: The Ones Worth the DriveA 38-year park veteran's honest take on which Indiana state parks are actually worth the drive — Turkey Run, Brown County, the Dunes and more.
Family Camping in Kentucky: Picks That Won't Drive You NutsA retired ranger's honest take on Kentucky family campgrounds — from Natural Bridge to Mammoth Cave — minus the ones with the gift shops.
Family Camping in Kansas: Picks That Won't Drive You NutsA retired ranger's honest picks for family camping in Kansas — the state parks that work, the weekends to skip, and what to actually pack.